On winter days when you plan to go full-makeup, it is imperative that you choose the right foundation that works to give your skin an even tone while also ensuring that it stays hydrated for hours on end. Making this possible are various brands with their exclusive formulations for dry skin types. And we have curated a list of the 11 impressive full-coverage foundations for dry skin to save you the trouble of researching. So, choose your fav out of the 11 products and get ready to say hello to healthy skin!

Dry Skin Only Edition – 11 Full-Coverage Foundations Best Suited For Dry Skin

1. Best Lightweight:It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Color Correcting Cream – Medium (W)

To name a duo better than a high coverage foundation hand-in-hand with an SPF50+ might seem like a task unless you’re aware of this magic product. What’s better than to have a dermatologist tested tinted cream which not only covers your blemishes but is also boosted with humectants? The IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream works miraculously in prepping your skin for a fully-covered, no-crease look. In addition to that, your skin will be thanking you as this product is formulated with an anti-aging serum and hyaluronic acid, both which strive to provide you a dewy, youthful skin. And, to top it all, this CC cream comes with a pump dispenser, meaning, 32ml of product and no wastage! The cream glides on easily without any hassle, but the finish is what takes away the prize as it gives a full-glam look with just enough layer for your skin to breathe. Learn more about this product in this video. Pros

Creamy and hydrating Lightweight but high coverage Infused with anti-aging serum and hyaluronic acid Sun protection with SPF50+

Cons

Could settle in fine lines

2. Best Anti-Aging Properties:Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle-Defying Foundation – Buff Beige

Want to go back in time and use the classic compact foundation? Well, you’re just in luck. Known to be a favorite amongst those with dry skin, the cruelty-free makeup brand Covergirl’s collab with drugstore’s favourite skincare line Olay sure is everything nourishing and hydrating, and more. Just a gentle swirl with a brush is going to help cover any unwanted spots and blemishes. As clichéd as it sounds, a little sure goes a long way. Indulged with the power elements like hyaluronic complex and Vitamin C, your face will not only look dewy but also feel fresh and uplifted. Enriched with anti-aging properties and an SPF 28 to secure you from sunburns, this foundation is a vanity must-have. This video will provide you with added insights about the product. Pros

Smooth and dewy finish Does not crease Anti-aging properties Packed with hyaluronic complex and vitamin C

Cons

May give a cakey look if attempted to build up May not be suitable for oily and sensitive skin types

3. Best Organic:Phoera Foundation

The Phoera Foundation is a delicate, non-transferable, matte liquid foundation. The 103 Warm Peach Foundation provides long-lasting full coverage to your skin. The foundation is made up of 100% natural ingredients like pineapple fruit extracts, Brazilian cocoa seed extract, sorbic acid, etc. The foundation provides a soft and smooth glow to your skin and gives you a flawless complexion. The foundation has an oil-controlling formula that leaves your skin non-greasy and matte. It also helps to correct skin tones and hide blemishes. The lightweight texture of the foundation spreads on your skin easily and does not adhere to the compact. Pros

Organic Vegan Fragrance-free Gluten-free Allergen-free Preservative-free

Cons None

4. Best Long Lasting:Revlon ColorStay 24HRS Foundation- Medium Beige

If you grew up watching tons of beauty YouTubers and eventually buying your first drugstore foundation, you’d know that Revlon has always been in the air among popular foundation brands. With its resilience to formulate and re-formulate their products, the ColorStay range sure is not a new name in the market. Except, it does the job of coming in 2 variants to satisfy those with either dry to normal or oily to combination skin types. Backed up with a lightweight formula to provide a medium to full coverage, the formula of this foundation almost feels that of a mousse when applied. If you’re on the look for a natural but radiant finish, do bring your attention to this marvel of a product. Pros

SPF 20 Creaseless Luminous and skin-like finish Doesn’t settle into fine lines Long-lasting Easily blendable

Cons

Contains parabens and EDTA

5. Best Semi-Matte Finish:e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation – Lily

If your moisturizer could cover up blemishes and other marks while hydrating your skin, this product would be it. Let us introduce you to this wonder foundation which, as a matter of fact, boasts in pride to come in 40 different shades! Not only is its quick blend formula something to get wooed by, the coverage it provides is to die for. Promising to be fit for all skin types, this foundation is a beloved item from the dry skin community as it is packed with glycerin – a popularly known humectant. It is one of the full coverage foundations in the market. Pros

Comes in 40 shades Boosted with glycerin to hydrate skin Semi-matte finish Blends into skin Medium to high coverage Buildable

Cons

Consistency could seem thick to some Some may find the odor overpowering

6. Best Buildable:Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint – Nude

You’ve heard of #MLBB, now’s your time to learn about #MSBB – My Skin But Better; and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Tint exactly aspires to provide that to your skin. The product itself could seem like a miss-out for those who do not fall under the shades that are provided. Regardless, this foundation does more than just add tint to your skin as it lifts and brightens the skin tone while maintaining a fresh and healthy look. It is easy to blend and you have a lot of control on the coverage since it is easily buildable. Pros

Natural finish Buildable Doe-foot applicator Evens out skin tone Does not settle in fine lines

Cons

Blemishes could poke through

7. Best Easy-To-Blend:Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Makeup Full Coverage Foundation Stick – 80W Brown

Ever found yourself wondering if you could take your average foundation to the extreme? Well, this tiny bullet serves as a holy grail product for a high coverage not just on the face but anywhere on the body! With its extremely creamy consistency, this foundation provides up to a maximum coverage of a smudge-proof and water resistant look for 16 hours straight. The foundation not only covers up any marks be it – scars, blemishes, birthmarks, or even tattoos – but it also sets into the skin leaving the effect of a well-done base. Pros

High coverage Comes in a portable bullet stick Easy to blend Dermatologist-approved Contains no parabens or SLS

Cons

Some may find the consistency thick

8. Best Sweat Resistant:Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Hydra Foundation – 2.15 Light

Here’s another cruelty-free foundation that promises to last for 24 hours without budging from the surface. Of course, we don’t recommend wearing a foundation or any kind of makeup for an entire span of the day but it sure feels convincing when a brand assures you of its longevity. Smashbox foundations have always been in the rave of hype and admiration, and their Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation too is one that is adored by most. With an immense spectrum of their shade range that accounts to 40 shades, this product aims to provide the perfect full-coverage finish with a hydrating glow. Pros

High coverage Transfer and sweat resistant Natural matte finish Comes in 40 shades

Cons

Needs to be set with powder to avoid cakey effect

9. Best Sun Protection:Bella Terra Cosmetics Multipurpose Perfecting Powder – Ivory

We know that this article is directed for our dry skin beauties and mineral powder foundation is something they need to stray away from– but hear us out. The Bellaterra foundation, regardless of being a powder base, suits those even with dry skin! The simple trick is to either mix a bit of your moisturizer or hydrating primer with the powder foundation and then swirl it all over your face. With its barely-there feel and ability to last for a long time, you would need to use just a swipe or 2 to let it sit on your skin completely without moving. Pros

Lightweight on the face Long-lasting coverage Does not settle in fine lines Offers sun protection Leaves a natural glow

Cons

Slightly expensive

10. Best For Lasts All Day:Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer – SX 02

From the brand of a highly acclaimed makeup artist, Kevyn Aucoin brings you a tiny pot of miracles. On first look, you would think you paid too much for the product amount, but wait till we tell you that a little goes a long way. Dot it all over on a well moisturized face, then blend the pigment using either a brush or sponge, you would not believe the coverage it leaves you with. This is by far one of the best dewy high coverage foundations out there, and if you do decide to try this product out, you would not regret it. Pros

Little product goes a long way Can be used as both foundation and concealer Covers up blemishes and dark spots Full coverage Lasts all day

Cons

Contains mineral oil

11. Best Talc-Free:Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation – Capri

We saved the best for the last; this high-end foundation comes from the land of Australia. Infused with a hydrating complex which is deemed beneficial for its antibacterial properties, this foundation easily becomes the must-have product for those with dry skin. The product is also highly enriched with skincare agents like squalane, green tea leaf extract, willow bark extract, etcetera.The ingredients of the product serve to provide maximum hydration, and soothe the skin. Pros

Extremely hydrating Infused with skincare ingredients Cruelty free Vegan Talc-free Paraben-free

Cons

Contains EDTA

We know that as the beauty industry grows, so do their products list with new informed formulae. We also recommended some of the foundations which have been in the beauty community since long, and because they still make up quite the rave, we chose to revisit the past. All of these foundations stand at their best while being different in their own ways, and buying just the one foundation may not be the most easy thing to do, thus, we now provide you a few steps to remember when buying a foundation suitable for dry skin, one that is hydrating and smooth.

How To Choose The Best Full Coverage Foundation For Dry Skin

Type of finish

As you would know most matte finish foundations are suitable for those with oily skin. Therefore, researching on demi-matte finish foundations or hydrating foundations should be something you must look out for.

Undertones

Foundations with “C” refers to those with “cool” or bluish undertones, while those with “W” and “N” are referred to those with “warm” or yellowish-olive and “neutral” or creamy-peach undertones.

Consistency

Many times, the thicker the product, the higher the coverage. However, that isn’t the case for a few other foundations. A highly hydrating foundation could easily be of a watery consistency while providing a medium to high coverage.So, pay close attention to the consistency, coverage, and opt for one that offers an impressive coverage without caking up.

Ingredients

Look for hydrating and moisture proofing elements like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, or emollients like squalane. Humectants and emollients are elements which provide excess hydrating features – you would also find them used extensively in skin care products.

Invest in a hydrating setting spray or mist

No matter the high amount of hydration you get from your foundation, always try to set your base makeup with an optimal amount of setting spray to not only set the look but also lock the dewy effect. Now that we are sort of well versed with the kind of foundation to be on the lookout for, the obvious curiosity now turns to the method of applying a high-coverage foundation.

How To Apply A Full Coverage Hydrating Foundation

Step 1: Make sure to prep your freshly washed face with either a moisturizer or a hydrating primer. Step 2: Since full coverage foundations have the tendency to appear cakey or shift when applied on the skin surface, a primer would help provide a firm finish look. Step 3: Wait till the moisture is absorbed into the skin, if you apply the foundation before, chances of it not being able to blend properly are possible. Step 4: Now,pump out a bit of the foundation and dot or stroke the pigment all over your face. Step 5: Use either a foundation brush– preferably a flat top brush or a beauty sponge. You could also use your fingertips. Step 6: With gentle pressure, dab or pat the tint on to your skin and softly brush out the edges to remove the look of harsh effects.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author of this article, Chaitra Krishnan, is a makeup enthusiast. She loves to explore and review makeup products and spends hours grabbing the information on the latest trends. After extensive research, she compiled the list of best full coverage foundations for dry skin. The products included in the list contain ingredients with moisture-retaining effects and provide you with a flawless makeup look. What type of foundation is best for dry skin? Any full-coverage foundation with hydrating ingredients is suitable for dry skin. The foundation must moisturize the skin, impart a lovely dewy finish, and prevent the skin from looking cakey. How do you prep dry skin for makeup wear? Here is how you can prep your dry skin to wear makeup that does not look cakey. •  Gently cleanse your skin. •  Use a hydrating toner/mist. •  Apply a hydrating antioxidant serum. •  Slather on your moisturizer. •  Apply a hydrating primer. What ingredients to avoid in a foundation for dry skin? If you have dry skin, avoid using drying ingredients, such as alcohol, artificial fragrances, and exfoliating acids in your foundation. What are the benefits of using full-coverage foundation for dry skin? •  It offers long-lasting coverage that hides your blemishes effectively. •  It does not dry out the skin. •  It does not settle on the skin or create cracks. •  It leaves a dewy finish on the skin that looks natural. How do I get full coverage on dry skin without looking cakey? •  Prep your skin well before using a foundation. •  Exfoliate your skin and moisturize it. •  Use a hydrating primer to set the base. •  Use a hydrating, full-coverage foundation suitable for dry skin type. •  Apply foundation with a damp sponge. •  Set only your oily areas with a powder. •  Use a setting spray to mesh the makeup. •  Use cream based-products like blush, bronzer, or concealer.

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